Planning permission in Lewes

In the last 12 months, 92.2% of home project applications were approved in Lewes (153 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 59 days).

Across all application types, 90.7% of 2,457 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Lewes's public planning register. Data last updated: 22 August 2026.

2,895Total applications

2,457Decided

90.7%Approval rate (of decided)

2,229 Approved+228 Refused+51 Withdrawn+333 Pending+54 Outcome not determined=2,895 Total

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By Development Category

All applications on record, not only the last 12 months.

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Home extensions and alterations (householder)	780	726	54	93.1%
Discharge of Condition	378	376	2	99.5%
Protected tree works (TPO)	195	165	30	84.6%
Full planning applications	167	150	17	89.8%
Non-Material Amendment	108	106	2	98.1%
Residential Extension	105	97	8	92.4%
Tree works in a conservation area	89	85	4	95.5%
Demolition	75	56	19	74.7%
Residential New Build	67	44	23	65.7%
Listed Building	67	65	2	97.0%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	54	46	8	85.2%
Discharging planning conditions	44	43	1	97.7%
Change of Use	42	32	10	76.2%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	39	32	7	82.1%
Prior Approval	34	24	10	70.6%
Prior approval (permitted development)	27	24	3	88.9%
Commercial	24	19	5	79.2%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use)	22	11	11	50.0%
Trees	22	20	2	90.9%
Signage	22	21	1	95.5%
Other*	96	87	9	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) (16), Overhead Lines Notification (13), Listed Building Consent (11), Modification of Planning Obligation (10), Consultation by ESCC (10), Planning Permission in Principle (5), Conversion to Flats (5), Extensions under permitted development (prior approval) (4), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (4), Environmental impact screening and scoping (3), Class BC Permitted Development right (3), Phone masts and telecoms (3), Lawful Development (2), Conservation Area (1), Class AA enlarge by addit storeys (1), ClassA new flats (1), Prior Approval from AGR to Flexible (1), Advertisement Consent (1), Prior Approval from Shop/Bank - Dwelling (1), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (1).

Quarterly Trend

The most recent three years. Earlier decisions are included in the totals above but not in this chart.

Quarter	Decided	Approved	Approval rate
Q3 2023	68	57	83.8%
Q4 2023	184	165	89.7%
Q1 2024	250	236	94.4%
Q2 2024	218	186	85.3%
Q3 2024	169	153	90.5%
Q4 2024	204	193	94.6%
Q1 2025	204	183	89.7%
Q2 2025	181	173	95.6%
Q3 2025	245	230	93.9%
Q4 2025	183	171	93.4%
Q1 2026	158	131	82.9%
Q2 2026	54	46	85.2%
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	5	5	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 246 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 85.6% in Peacehaven North to 96.9% in Seaford South, a gap of 11.3 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Chailey, Barcombe & Hamsey	406	374	32	92.1%
Ouse Valley & Ringmer	333	307	26	92.2%
Newick	218	193	25	88.5%
East Saltdean & Telscombe Cliffs	188	163	25	86.7%
Newhaven South	141	125	16	88.7%
Wivelsfield	134	117	17	87.3%
Seaford South	127	123	4	96.9%
Seaford Central	112	104	8	92.9%
Plumpton Streat E.Chiltington St John W	104	95	9	91.3%
Seaford East	102	93	9	91.2%
Seaford North	99	92	7	92.9%
Peacehaven North	97	83	14	85.6%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Lewes?

In the last 12 months, 92.2% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Lewes, based on 153 decided applications. Across all application types, 90.7% of 2,457 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Lewes?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Lewes in the last 12 months was 59 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Lewes?

It depends on the project and the property. Many home projects fall under permitted development rights, but constraints such as conservation areas, listed buildings and Article 4 directions change what needs permission at a specific address. See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.

Do I need a planning consultant in Lewes?

Many home projects do not need one. A straightforward extension on an unconstrained property is often handled directly with the council, or with an architect or agent preparing the drawings. A consultant is more likely to earn their fee where the site is constrained, the council has refused similar schemes, or an appeal is in prospect. Understanding your property's constraints and the council's recent decisions first makes any conversation with a professional a better-informed one.

Planning guides

Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights, Article 4 directions and planning costs.

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